G60VX with failed video card

Hello,

This is my first visit to this forum and I am hoping that someone can help. My laptop is an Aus G60VX and the video card failed (Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M, 1GB). I removed it. Now my laptop will power up and make the rushing sound that happens when the flames normally show during boot up. The problem is that the screen is always full white and I cannot see anything.

Here is my question. Is it possible to use the video capability of the Intel GM45 chipset and run without the nVidia video card? If so, how can I do this?

Thanks.

 

I don't believe that is possible on Asus laptops because IGP (Integrated graphics) is hard disabled.

You could try ebay or the For Sale forum for a used 260m though. For compatibility I would ask to see if it came from an Asus though.

 

smellon,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I was afraid that the chipset video was disabled. Sigh.

I hear you regarding replacing the video card. The problem is that it appears replacement cards go for about $300 and I am not ready to risk that much coin to resurrect this unit, particularly after seeing the heat sink arrangement and reading how many other users have problems with GPU temps. It's a house of cards arrangement IMO.

I am leaning towards selling this machine in the local CL for twenty bucks or so. It still has a lot of good parts. I will keep the HDD as I need data from it.

Thanks again.

 

Yeah this series suffered from a design flaw, so far I've repaired probably 6 of them. The g51vx is by far the worst one of the bunch, since the gpu can stay red hot and the fan will not come on until the gpu hits like 95C. The trick with all of them is to keep the laptop clean and really monitor the temps and to make sure you have a good thermal transfer to get the most efficient cooling.

It all has to do with excessive heat and lead free solder, though a lot of people don't believe it.

You can read about it here

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...1871-asus-g51-cooling-mod-24.html#post8499156

Anyway if you're looking to sell it, send me a pm. I don't know why but i like collecting these laptops.

 

Yes unless your machine is optimus enabled the integrated display is disabled and none of your display ports are even wired to it.

 

The video card was drawing red vertical lines on the screen. They were one pixel wide and spaced about 100 pixels apart. When I researched that problem I found several web sites that discussed the BGA ball cracks. The video card completely failed after about two weeks of the red lines. At that point I tried to reflow the balls in a toaster over but no joy. It appears to me that I overheated the GPU because there are some blisters on the substrate supporting the die. In any event the laptop would not even boot up after my reflow attempt. Like I wrote in the first post, the laptop boots up without the video card but I can't see anything.

I listed the laptop on CL. A guy is supposed to pick it up on Friday night. If he is a no show I will send you a PM on Friday night and we can chat more. My wife is driving out to Grand Rapids on Saturday morning and can bring the laptop with.

Here is my CL ad with photos.
Asus G60V Laptop for parts

Here is the failed GPU with blisters:

 

Yeah that would be great if he doesn't pick it up, and it's awesome you live so close. Lead free solder is really picky with it's reflow temps. I usually get the chip between 200-220C for about a minute then decrease temps 3-4C a sec till i reach 100C. It's a delicate process but if it's done right the solder gets tempered and will stand up to some abuse. If you go over 250C the solder ball will pretty much explode and bridge other solder balls around it causing a direct short. I'm guessing that's what happened when you tried to repair it.

 

Sorry, the laptop just sold.